Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian rights activist and graduate of Columbia University, has finally been reunited with his wife and infant son after enduring more than three months in federal immigration detention. Khalil, known for being one of the most high-profile students targeted by the Trump administration for voicing his opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza, arrived in New Jersey on Saturday at approximately 1 PM, two hours later than anticipated due to a flight rerouting to Philadelphia.
As he emerged from security at Newark Airport, Khalil was greeted by a cheering crowd of supporters. He was pushing his infant son in a black stroller, displaying a broad smile and raising his right fist in solidarity, while a Palestinian keffiyeh was draped across his shoulders. Accompanying him were his wife, Noor Abdalla, members of his legal team, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic representative from New York.
In a brief press conference after his landing, Khalil expressed his unwavering commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights, stating, “If they threaten me with detention, even if they would kill me, I would still speak up for Palestine. I just want to go back and continue the work I was already doing, advocating for Palestinian rights, a speech that should actually be celebrated rather than punished.” This statement highlights his dedication to the Palestinian cause despite facing significant personal challenges.
Representative Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the broader implications of Khalil’s case, stating, “This is not over, and we will have to continue to support this case. The persecution based on political speech is wrong, and it is a violation of all of our First Amendment rights, not just Mahmoud’s.” She pointed out that the Trump administration is aware they are fighting a losing legal battle against Khalil.
Khalil was released from a Louisiana immigration detention facility on Friday evening after a federal judge ruled that his detention over a civil immigration matter was unconstitutional. Following a 104-day ordeal, the judge found that the government failed to demonstrate that Khalil posed a flight risk or a danger to the community, declaring, “He is not a danger to the community. Period, full stop.”
His detention began when plainclothes US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended him in front of his heavily pregnant wife in early March. Khalil was not charged with any crime but was forced to miss the birth of his son, Deen. He was granted only one brief visit with his family in June, highlighting the emotional toll of his detention.
The ruling for Khalil’s release has been celebrated as a crucial victory against the Trump administration’s crackdown on free speech related to Palestinian rights. His case sparked widespread condemnation as part of a broader pattern of targeting international students who speak out against Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupation of Palestinian territories. Notably, multiple Jewish students and faculty members submitted court documents in support of Khalil, reinforcing the solidarity among various communities.
In his statement after release, Khalil remarked, “Trump and his administration, they chose the wrong person for this. That doesn’t mean there is a right person for this. There is no right person who should be detained for actually protesting a genocide.” He emphasized that “No one is illegal – no human is illegal,” asserting that justice will ultimately prevail.
Despite his release, Khalil remains under specific conditions, including surrendering his passport and green card to ICE and limiting his travel to select states for court hearings and family visits. The Trump administration has filed a notice of appeal against the ruling, indicating that the fight for Khalil’s rights is far from over.
As Khalil prepares to continue his advocacy, a rally is scheduled for Sunday at 5:30 PM ET at the steps of the Cathedral of St John the Divine in upper Manhattan. The event aims to celebrate Khalil’s release and protest against the ongoing detainment of thousands of immigrants in the US and Palestinians held without trial in Israel. Khalil is expected to address his supporters, reasserting his commitment to the Palestinian rights movement.
